2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 GMC Terrain
Comparison Overview
Trying to choose between the practical newcomer, the 2026 GMC Terrain, and the established contender, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe? The main trade-off here revolves around power versus outright utility and cost. The Terrain immediately saves you $4,200 upfront, starting at just $30,100 compared to the Santa Fe’s $34,300. However, that price drop comes with a significant performance hit; the Santa Fe offers a robust 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, crushing the Terrain's 175 hp and 184 lb-ft. Where the Terrain really shines is hauling gear, boasting nearly double the cargo space at 29.8 cubic feet versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet, though the Santa Fe is slightly better on fuel economy (24 combined MPG vs. the Terrain's 27 combined MPG). Furthermore, the Santa Fe is physically larger at 190.2 inches long, suggesting more interior passenger room, while both offer front-wheel drive standard.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 GMC Terrain
The 2026 GMC Terrain wins for daily commuting due to its superior 27 MPG combined fuel economy and lower entry price.
2026 GMC Terrain
Families needing maximum gear space will prefer the Terrain's massive 29.8 cu ft of cargo capacity over the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is the clear choice for enthusiasts, delivering a substantial 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
2026 GMC Terrain
Despite less power, the 2026 GMC Terrain offers better overall value by saving $4,200 MSRP upfront while achieving better gas mileage.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- You frequently need more power for highway merging or towing, thanks to its 277 hp engine.
- You prefer the slightly better highway cruising efficiency of 29 MPG, even if the combined MPG is lower.
- You value a physically larger footprint (190.2 inches long) for potentially more passenger room.
Choose the GMC Terrain if...
- Sticking to a budget is paramount, as it costs $4,200 less than the Hyundai, starting at $30,100.
- Hauling lots of gear is a priority, given its enormous 29.8 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You prioritize steady fuel efficiency across city and highway driving, averaging 27 MPG combined.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Fe | GMC Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2" | 181.0" |
| Width | 74.8" | 74.5" |
| Height | 67.7" | 65.8" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 107.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automated manual | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 26/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 354.0/513.3 mi. | 384.8/414.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 14.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 15.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speaker System | — | 6 |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.4 in. | 44.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.6 in. | 39.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.9 in. | 51.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 GMC Terrain.
Is the extra horsepower in the Santa Fe noticeable in everyday driving?
Yes, the 2025 Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque significantly outperform the Terrain’s 175 hp, making acceleration and passing much quicker, especially when the vehicle is loaded down.
How much cargo space difference is there between the two crossovers?
The difference is substantial: the 2026 GMC Terrain offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space, while the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe provides only 14.6 cubic feet, meaning the Terrain can hold much larger items or more luggage.
Which vehicle is more economical to fuel?
The 2026 GMC Terrain edges out the competition slightly with 27 MPG combined, compared to the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's 24 MPG combined rating.
Do the different transmissions affect the driving feel?
They will drive differently; the Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automated manual which generally offers distinct shift points, whereas the Terrain uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) for smoother, gearless acceleration.
If I plan on taking road trips, which one is better for running costs?
While the Terrain has better MPG overall, the Santa Fe is specifically rated higher on the highway at 29 MPG versus the Terrain’s 28 MPG, though it uses regular unleaded fuel in both cases.
Is the Santa Fe significantly larger than the new Terrain?
Yes, the 2025 Santa Fe is longer, measuring 190.2 inches in length compared to the 2026 Terrain's 181.0 inches, suggesting it might offer a more spacious feel inside.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool